Compositions containing resveratrol and nucleotides

ABSTRACT

A resveratrol-containing composition capable of providing a therapeutic benefit to a subject such as modulation of a biological activity, improving cell transplantation therapy, or improving macular degeneration or dystrophy treatments. The compositions comprise trans-resveratrol, a metal chelator, one or more additional antioxidants such as quercetin, gamma-tocotrienol, or apple polyphenols, allicin, and nucleotides.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/679,299, entitled “Compositions Containing Resveratrol andNucleotides” (filed Nov. 16, 2012), which claims priority to U.S.Application Ser. No. 61/560,482 (filed on Nov. 16, 2011; expired), allof which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Despite a high level of risk factors such as cholesterol, diabetes,hypertension and a high intake of saturated fat, French males displaythe lowest mortality rate from ischaemic heart disease andcardiovascular diseases in Western industrialized nations (36% lowerthan the USA and 39% lower than the UK). The so-called ‘French Paradox’(a low mortality rate specifically from cardiovascular diseases) may bedue mainly to the regular consumption of wine (Renaud, S. et al. (1998)Novartis Found. Symp. 216:208-222, 152-158).

Resveratrol (3,4′,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a naturally occurringphenolic compound found, for example in grape skins, that has beendemonstrated to have beneficial properties relating to health of humans.In particular, resveratrol is believed to be beneficial to thefunctioning of the heart and in extending the life of human cells.Resveratrol, when used in dietary supplements, is generally produced asan alcohol extract from plant sources.

Calorie restricted diets have been shown to enhance survival andlongevity by up-regulating survival/longevity genes or down-regulatinggenes whose expression enhances cellular damage. Mice have been usedextensively as a model for genetic expression comparisons with humans.Without limitation, the validity of murine models to human geneexpression reflects the fact that 98% of human and murine gene arehomologous, and that mice and humans have about the same number of genes(e.g., approximately 30,000).

Despite the established benefits of a calorie restricted diet, theseverity of the required dietary regime has limited adoption of thisapproach to increasing longevity. It would therefore be desirable toprovide an alternative route to obtaining the benefits of calorierestriction that would avoid the need for dietary regulation and thatwould be amenable to widespread adoption. The present embodiments aredirected to this and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present embodiments provide a composition thatcomprises trans-resveratrol, a metal chelating agent, one or moreadditional antioxidants such as quercetin, gamma-tocotrienol, or applepolyphenols, allicin, and nucleotides, and methods of using thecomposition. The trans-resveratrol may be encapsulated to substantiallypreserve the biological activity of the composition from loss due toexposure of the trans-resveratrol to light or oxygen. Additionalembodiments provide a method of protecting implanted stem cells byadministering a composition that comprises trans-resveratrol, a metalchelating agent, one or more additional antioxidants such as quercetin,gamma-tocotrienol, or apple polyphenols, allicin, and nucleotides, inconjunction with or following stem cell implantation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present embodiments relate to a resveratrol-containing compositionand especially a resveratrol-containing dietary composition (i.e., acomposition amenable for oral ingestion by a recipient), and to methodsof treatment and/or prophylaxis utilizing such compositions.

A. Compositions of the Present Embodiments

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises or consistsessentially of one or more plant extracts comprising trans-resveratrol,a metal chelating agent, one or more additional antioxidants such asquercetin, gamma-tocotrienol, or apple polyphenols, allicin, andnucleotides. These compositions exhibit numerous benefits as compared topure resveratrol alone. Preferred compositions comprise resveratrol(preferably, a composition dosage of from about 1 mg/kg of body weightto about 2 g/kg of body weight (more preferably from about 1 mg/kg ofbody weight to about 5 mg/kg of body weight), a chelator, and anantioxidant, and may also comprise other compounds such as emulsifiers,glycosaminoglycans, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition is intended for a human, andcomprises or consists essentially of (assuming a standard 50 kgpatient):

-   -   (a) trans-resveratrol in an amount of about 0.2-2 mg/kg,        preferably about 0.5-1.5 mg/kg, or about 1 mg/kg of body weight        of the patient;    -   (b) a chelator such as phytic acid in an amount of about 0.5-3        mg/kg, about 1.25-3 mg/kg, or about 3 mg/kg of body weight of        the patient;    -   (c) additional phenolic antioxidants such as quercetin and apple        polyphenols (e.g., procyanidin B-2) in a total amount of about        0.05-2 mg/kg, about 0.2-1.5 mg/kg, or about 0.5 mg/kg of body        weight of the patient;    -   (d) tocotrienols particularly gamma-tocotrienol in an amount of        about 0.03-0.3 mg/kg, about 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, or about 0.12 mg/kg        of body weight of the patient;    -   (e) allicin in an amount of about 0.5-2 mg/kg, about 0.75-1.5        mg/kg, or about 1 mg/kg of body weight of the patient; and    -   (f) nucleotides in an amount of about 0.5-2 mg/kg, about        0.75-1.5 mg/kg, or about 1 mg/kg of body weight of the patient.

In another preferred embodiment, the composition is intended for ahuman, and comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   (a) trans-resveratrol in an amount of about 10-100 mg,        preferably about 50-75 mg, or about 50 mg;    -   (b) a chelator such as phytic acid in an amount of about 25-150        mg, about 75-150 mg, or about 150 mg;    -   (c) additional phenolic antioxidants such as quercetin and apple        polyphenols (e.g., procyanidin B-2) in a total amount of about        2.5-75 mg, about 10-75 mg, or about 25 mg;    -   (d) tocotrienols particularly gamma-tocotrienol in an amount of        about 1.5-15 mg, about 5-10 mg, or about 6 mg;    -   (e) allicin in an amount of about 25-100 mg, about 37.5 to 75        mg, or about 50 mg; and    -   (f) nucleotides in an amount of about 25-100 mg, about 37.5 to        75 mg, or about 50 mg.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises resveratrol and issold commercially as Longevinex® (Resveratrol Partners, LLC, San Dimas,Calif.). Four different formulations of Longevinex® have been sold, eachconsisting essentially of a plant extract comprising trans-resveratrol,quercetin dihydrate, and rice bran extract comprising phytic acid. Eachdose of Longevinex® is suitable for administration to an average (e.g.,70 kg) human once daily. Each dose (e.g., a capsule) of the firstgeneration Longevinex® composition consists essentially of: 5 mg VitaminE (as mixed tocopherols), 215 mg of a mixture of Vitis vinifera (Frenchred wine grape) and Polygonum cuspidatum (giant knotweed) extractstogether comprising 100 mg of trans-resveratrol, 25 mg quercetindihydrate, 75 mg rice bran extract comprising phytic acid, 380 mg ricebran oil comprising ferulic acid, and 55 mg sunflower lecithin. Eachdose (e.g., a capsule) of the second generation Longevinex® compositionconsists essentially of: 215 mg of a mixture of Vitis vinifera (Frenchred wine grape) and Polygonm cuspidatum (giant knotweed) extractstogether comprising 100 mg of trans-resveratrol, 25 mg quercetindihydrate, 75 mg rice bran extract comprising phytic acid, and 50 mgferulate. Each dose (e.g., two capsules) of the third generationLongevinex® consists essentially of a Polygonum cuspidatum extractcomprising 100 mg of trans-resveratrol, 1000 IU of cholecaliferol(Vitamin D3), quercetin, and rice bran extract comprising phytic acid.Each dose (e.g., two capsules) of the fourth generation Longevinex®,sold as Longevinex Advantage™, consists essentially of a Polygonumcuspidatum extract comprising 100 mg of trans-resveratrol, 1000 IU ofcholecaliferol (Vitamin D3), grape seed extract, quercetin, ferulicacid, cocoa extract, lutein, green tea extract, rice bran extractcomprising phytic acid, and hyaluronan.

1. Resveratrol

Resveratrol has been ascribed multiple beneficial biological effects(see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,345,178, which listing of disclosed effectsis herein incorporated by reference), including preventing or treatingcardiovascular disease, preventing or treating cancer, preventing ortreating macular degeneration, attenuating or preventing diseasesassociated with aging, and other conditions and illnesses, including theincidence or severity of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer'sDisease and Parkinson's Disease, and anti-inflammatory activity.

Resveratrol, also known as 3,4′,5 trihydroxystilbene, naturally existsin cis- and trans-stereoisomeric forms. Studies have shown thatresveratrol is biologically active, providing several health benefitsincluding cancer prevention, anti-inflammatory properties, andcardiovascular effects. To maintain biological activity for an “extendedperiod” of time, the small molecules of plant or synthetic sourcepreferably remain biologically active for time periods after which themolecules would naturally become biologically inactive due todegradation or molecular isomerization as a result of exposure to light,heat or oxygen. These destructive processes would likely occur duringextraction, encapsulation or storage. For example, resveratrol possessesa half-life of approximately one day; consequently, it typically losessignificant biological activity within two days of exposure to ambientconditions and during processing of dietary supplements. Preferably, theresveratrol used in the present compositions is entirely or primarily(e.g., more than 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95%) in the trans stereoisomericform, i.e., trans-resveratrol.

Resveratrol may be synthesized chemically, or, more preferably, may beextracted from plant sources. Resveratrol is found in at least 72species of plants distributed among 31 genera and 12 families. All ofthe families found to contain resveratrol belong to the spermatophytesdivision: Vitaceae, Myrtaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Cyperaceae, Gnetaceae,Leguminosae, Pinaceae, Moraceae, Fagaceae, Liliaceae. Resveratrol hasmost often been reported in non-edible plants: vine, eucalyptus, spruce,and the tropical deciduous tree Bauhinia racemosa, PterolobiumHexapetallum. Resveratrol is particularly found in grape skins and GiantKnotweed, cocoa and chocolate. Peanut sprouts are also a rich source ofresveratrol.

In a preferred embodiment, the resveratrol is naturally derived, i.e.,derived from at least one natural source such as plants (or partsthereof, such as tubers or fruit (including pulp and skins) from theplant). One preferred source is the seeds and/or skins of grapes, suchas Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca, and Vitis rotundifolia. Anotherpreferred source is Polygonum (Giant Knotweed) and, in particular,Polygonum cuspidatum (a species of giant knotweed). The naturalderivation process includes those processes generally known in the art,including an extraction process in which a solvent is used to extractthe small molecules from a natural source. The solvent includes aqueoussolvents, organic solvents, and mixtures thereof. The solvent mayinclude, but is not limited to, alcohols such as ethanol. By way ofspecific examples, the extracted material may include aqueous or organicsolvent extracts of plants (or parts thereof), fruit juices (e.g., grapejuice), and fermented liquors (e.g. wine) produced from plants or fruitjuice, or mixtures of any of the foregoing. The extracted material mayfurther include inert plant material naturally removed during theextraction process. The extracted material may be processed (physicallyand/or chemically) to remove the solvent and increase the concentrationof the small molecules. For example, the solvent may be removed from theextract (e.g., by drying), leaving a dried powder.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions comprise or consistessentially of a plant extract comprising trans-resveratrol, forexample, a plant (grape) extract from Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca, orVitis rotundifolia, a plant extract from a Polygonum species, or acombination of grape and/or Polygonum extracts. In a preferredembodiment, the compositions comprise or consist essentially of amixture of grape and Polygonum extracts, each comprisingtrans-resveratrol. In one embodiment, a Polygonum cuspidatam extractcontaining 8% resveratrol (98% in trans-resveratrol form) from BlueCalifornia (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) is used. As used herein, theterm “extract” or “plant extract” has its ordinary meaning of aconcentrated pharmaceutical preparation of a plant obtained by removingactive constituents (such as trans-resveratrol) with a suitable solventor menstruum, which is evaporated away or otherwise removed to yield aresidual mass of plant extract. The extract may be adjusted to aprescribed standard. Thus, it is understood by those skilled in the artthat an “extract” or “plant extract” is not simply a pure activeingredient or ingredients, but instead contains secondary material fromthe source plant, for example, depending on the source plant, organicand inorganic salts, organic bases and acids, saponins, polyphenols,tannins, sugars, polysaccharides, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, trans-resveratrol is present in thecomposition in an amount of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70,75, 80, 85, 90 or 95 percent by weight, or is present in any rangebetween any two of these amounts, e.g., between about 10 and 30%, in anamount lesser than or greater than any two of these amounts, e.g. lesserthan 15% or greater than 75%, or in an amount lesser than or equal to,or greater than or equal to any two of these amounts, e.g., lesser thanor equal to 15%. In a different preferred embodiment, thetrans-resveratrol is present in the composition in an amount of about5-50%, 7.5-45%, 10-40%, 12.5-35%, 15-30%, or 20-25% by weight. Inanother preferred embodiment, trans-resveratrol is present in thecomposition in an amount of about 5-30% or 10-20% by weight. In adifferent preferred embodiment, trans-resveratrol is present in thecomposition in an amount of about 10-35%, 12.5-30%, or 15-25%, or in anamount of about 15-35% or 20-30% by weight.

In a preferred embodiment, trans-resveratrol is present in thecomposition in an amount calculated to provide a dosage in milligramstrans-resveratrol per kilogram of the patient to whom the dosage will beadministered, for example, in an amount of about 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1,1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5,4.75 or 5 mg trans-resveratrol per kilogram of patient, which isequivalent to a dosage of about 17.5, 35, 52.5, 70, 87.5, 105, 122.5,140, 157.5, 175, 192.5, 210, 227.5, 245, 262.5, 280, 297.5, 315, 332.5,or 350 mg trans-resveratrol for the typical 70 kg human patient. Inanother preferred embodiment, trans-resveratrol is present in thecomposition in an amount of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66,67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84,85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100 mgtrans-resveratrol per kilogram of patient, or about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25,30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110,115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180,185, 190, 195 or 200 mg trans-resveratrol per kilogram of patient. Thetrans-resveratrol may also be present in any range between any two ofthese amounts, e.g., between about 0.25 and 4 mg/kg or between about 26and 33 mg/kg, in an amount lesser than any of these amounts, e.g.,lesser than about 2.5 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg, in an amount lesser than orequal to any of these amounts, e.g., lesser than or equal to about 50mg/kg, in an amount greater than any of these amounts, e.g., greaterthan about 1.25 mg/kg or 25 mg/kg, or in an amount greater than or equalto any of these amounts, e.g., greater than or equal to about 2.5 mg/kgor 100 mg/kg. In a preferred embodiment, trans-resveratrol is present inthe composition in an amount of about 1.5 to about 2.5 mg/kg for a humanpatient, or about 3 to about 4.5 mg/kg for a human patient.

2. Chelators

As used herein the term “chelator” refers to an organic compound thatbonds with and removes free metal ions from solution. Examples ofsuitable chelators include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA),histidine, antibiotic drugs of the tetracycline family, pyridoxal2-chlorobenzoyl hydrazone, desferrioxamine, dexrazoxane, deferasirox,pyoverdine, pseudan, citrate, NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid:1,4-bis[3,4-dihydroxyphenyl]2,3-dimethylbutane), ferulic acid and phyticacid. Preferably, the compositions of the present embodiments willprovide a composition dosage of chelator of from about 1 g to about 15g, more preferably from about 2 g to about 12 g.

Phytic acid is a particularly preferred chelator for the purposes of thepresent embodiments. As used herein, the term “phytic acid” refers toinositol hexaphosphate((2,3,4,5,6-pentaphosphonooxycyclohexyl)dihydrogen phosphate; also knownas “IP6”). Phytic acid is found in substantial amounts in whole grains,cereals, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and is the primary energy source forthe germinating plant. Phytic acid and its lower phosphorylated forms(such as IP3) are also found in most mammalian cells, where they assistin regulating a variety of important cellular functions. Phytic acid ispreferably provided in the form of a rice bran extract comprising phyticacid. Phytic acid is reported to function as an antioxidant by chelatingdivalent cations such as copper and iron, thereby preventing thegeneration of reactive oxygen species responsible for cell injury andcarcinogenesis. The preferred composition dosage of phytic acid (forexample, as derived from rice bran as an extract) is in the range of200-12,000 mg, more preferably about 250-2500 mg per day.

Phytic acid also is believed to reduce the availability of metallicminerals that serve as growth factors in tumor cells, and as aninhibitor of calcium cystallization. It is also believed to serve as aneutrophil priming and motility agent. Additionally, phytic acid hasbeen found to be neuroprotective, and thus to attenuate the severity ofconditions associated with neurodegenerative diseases (especiallyParkinson's Disease, camptocormia, and Alzheimer's Disease). Thecomponents of the present compositions are believed to enhance suchneuroprotection.

The chelator may be of natural or synthetic source and may include, butnot be limited to synthetic chelators such as desferrioxamine, EDTA, andd-penicillamine, or natural chelators such as lactoferrin, inositolhexaphosphate (IP6), quercetin, catechin, ferulic acid, curcumin,ellagic acid, hydroxytyrosol, anthocyanidin, etc. A preferred source ofIP6 is a rice bran extract from Tsuno Rice Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd. ofJapan, although the IP6 may also be used in isolated form

In a preferred embodiment, a chelator is present in the composition inan amount of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,90 or 95 percent by weight, or in an amount of about 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1,1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5,4.75 or 5 mg chelator per kilogram of patient, or is present in anyrange between any two of these amounts, in an amount lesser than orgreater than any two of these amounts, or in an amount lesser than orequal to, or greater than or equal to any two of these amounts. In apreferred embodiment, the chelator is present in the composition in anamount of about 10 to 35%, 15 to 30%, 20 to 30%, or 17.5 to 27.5%, or inamount of about 0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg of patient, 0.75 to 1.25 mg/kg ofpatient, or about 1 mg/kg of patient.

3. Additional Antioxidants

Additional antioxidants, for example phenolic antioxidants,tocotrienols, or Vitamin D may be added to the compositions. Theadditional phenolic antioxidants may be, for example, quercetin, ferulicacid, butein, fisetin, myricetin, kaempferol, cis-resveratrol orpiceatannol, or for example, apple polyphenols such as procyanidins,phenol carboxylic acids, catechins, flavonoids and others. Theantioxidants are believed to provide improved bioavailability ofresveratrol by inhibiting resveratrol glucuronidation, and also actsynergistically with resveratrol or independently of resveratrol toprovide beneficial function.

The additional phenolic antioxidants may belong to a number of chemicalclasses of phenolic antioxidant compounds, such as the chalcones (e.g.,butein), the flavonoids, the hydroxycinnamic acids, and the stilbenoids(e.g., cis-resveratrol, piceatannol). The flavonoids are a large classof phenolic compounds including the flavanols(2-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-3-ols such as the catechins andepicatechins), the flavones (2-phenylchromen-4-ones such as apigenin),and the flavonols (3-hydroxy-2-phenylchromen-4-ones such as quercetin).

In one embodiment, the additional phenolic antioxidant comprises orconsists of an antioxidant chalcone such as butein. In anotherembodiment, the additional phenolic antioxidant comprises or consists ofa hydroxycinnamic acid selected from the group consisting of caffeicacid, cichoric acid, chlorogenic acid, caftaric acid, coumaric acid,coutaric acid, diferulic acids, fertaric acid, and ferulic acid, orcombinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the additional phenolicantioxidant comprises or consists of a combination of caffeic acid andferulic acid. In yet another embodiment, the additional phenolicantioxidant comprises or consists of a stilbenoid selected from thegroup consisting of cis-resveratrol and piceatannol.

In a further embodiment, the additional phenolic antioxidant comprisesor consists of a flavanol selected from the group consisting of catechin(C), catechin 3-gallate (CG), epicatechin (EC), epicatechin 3-gallate(ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG),gallocatechin (GC), and gallocatechin 3-gallate (GCG), or combinationsthereof. In a preferred embodiment, the additional phenolic antioxidantcomprises or consists of epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG). In anotherembodiment, the additional phenolic antioxidant comprises or consists ofa flavone selected from the group consisting of apigenin, baicalein,chrysin, diosmin, luteolin, scutellarein, tangeritin, and wogonin, orcombinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the additional phenolicantioxidant comprises or consists of apigenin. In yet anotherembodiment, the additional phenolic antioxidant comprises or consists ofa flavonol selected from the group consisting of quercetin, kaempferol,myricetin, fisetin, isorhamnetin, pachypodol, and rhamnazin, orcombinations thereof.

In a further embodiment, the additional phenolic antioxidant comprisesor consists of one or more apple polyphenols selected from the groupconsisting of procyanidins, phenol carboxylic acids, catechins, andflavonoids. The procyanidins are a class of flavanols also calledproanthocyanidins, leukocyanidins, or condensed tannins. They areantioxidants linked to reduced risk of coronary heart disease and tolower overall mortality, and to the stabilization of collagen andmaintenance of elastin. Preferably, the apple polyphenols comprise orconsist essentially of procyanidins, such as the dimeric B typeprocyanidins proanthocyanidin B1 [epicatechin-(4β→8)-catechin],proanthocyanidin B2 [(−)-epicatechin-(4β→8)-(−)-epicatechin],proanthocyanidin B3 [catechin-(4β→8)-catechin], and proanthocyanidin B4[catechin-(4α→8)-epicatechin]. Preferably, the procyanidin isprocyanidin B2. In one embodiment, an apple (Malus pumila) extract fromBlue California (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) is used, for examplethe 10% or 40% polyphenol apple extracts.

In a further embodiment, the additional phenolic antioxidant comprisesor consists of one or more tocotrienols. The tocotrienols may be any mixof alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocotrienols, preferably gammatocotrienols. They may be present as isolated tocotrienols, or as partof a plant extract, e.g., an extract from palm, wheat germ, sunflowers,safflowers, etc. A preferred source of tocotrienols is from Davos LifeScience.

The additional phenolic antioxidant may also comprise or consist of acombination of phenolic antioxidants, for example one or more flavonoidscombined with one or hydroxycinnamic acids, etc. In one embodiment, theadditional phenolic antioxidant comprises or consists of a combinationof apigenin, caffeic acid, EGCG, ferulic acid, and quercetin. In anotherembodiment, the additional phenolic antioxidant comprises or consists ofa combination of quercetin and one or more apple polyphenols.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more additional phenolic antioxidantsand/or tocotrienols are present in the composition in an amount of about1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 or 95 percent byweight, or in an amount of about 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3,0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95,1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25,4.5, 4.75 or 5 mg additional phenolic antioxidant per kilogram ofpatient, or is present in any range between any two of these amounts, inan amount lesser than or greater than any two of these amounts, or in anamount lesser than or equal to, or greater than or equal to any two ofthese amounts. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more additionalphenolic antioxidants are present in the composition in an amount ofabout 1 to 25%, 2.5 to 20%, 5 to 15%, or 7.5 to 12.5%, or in an amountof about 5-10%, or in an amount of about 0.05 to 2, about 0.1 to 1.5, orabout 0.15 to 1 mg/kg of patient, or in an amount of about 0.15 to about6, about 0.3 to 4.5, or about 0.45 to 3 mg/kg of patient.

A non-phenolic antioxidant such as vitamin D may also be present in thecompositions. As used herein, the term “Vitamin D” refers to afat-soluble prohormone. Two major forms of vitamin D are vitamin D₂(ergocalciferol) and vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol) (DeLuca, H. F. et al.(1998) Nutr. Rev. 56:S4-S10). Vitamin D exhibits many biologicalactions. While vitamin D is widely known for its ability to stave offbone disease (rickets in growing children, osteoporosis in senioradults), it is becoming a central player in the battle against cancer.Regarding the role of vitamin D in immunity and cancer, vitamin Dimproves the chemotactic (affinity for) neutrophils to mobilize andmigrate. Patients with rickets due to vitamin D deficiency are observedto have sluggish neutrophils that cannot migrate properly. Vitamin Dstimulates the maturation of monocytes to macrophages. This results inan enlarged army of immune fighting cells to mount against tumors.Vitamin D is widely available commercially, and such preparations aresuitable for the purposes of the present embodiments. Preferably, thecompositions of the present embodiments will provide a compositiondosage of vitamin D of from about 100 IU to about 100,000 IU, morepreferably from about 1,000 IU to about 50,000 IU.

Vitamin D3 works as an agent that mimics the response to a biologicalstressor, solar radiation. In particular, vitamin D3 upregulatesprotective genes involved in activation of the immune system,particularly neutrophil count and motility, and aids in overcoming thedecline in endogenous vitamin D3 production with advancing age due tothickening of the skin, which reduces sun/skin production of vitamin D.Furthermore, vitamin D3 works synergistically to breakdown IP6 to IP3,thought to be a major active molecule. Resveratrol also workssynergistically to sensitize cells to vitamin D3 (sensitizes the vitaminD receptor on the cell surface). Vitamin D serves to break down IP6 toIP3, which is its primary active form. Vitamin D is also believed to actas an immune system enhancing agent, boosting innate immunity in humans.In this capacity, vitamin D has been shown experimentally to haveimportant cancer-preventive and cancer-curing properties. Resveratrolincreases the sensitivity of the vitamin D receptor on the surface ofcells, and thus is believed to act as an enhancing agent for vitamin Dand as an anti-cancer agent. Resveratrol up-regulates the vitamin Dreceptor on the surface of healthy and cancer cells, and sensitizescancer cells to vitamin D. Resveratrol is also believed to be amonoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO Inhibitor).

In a preferred embodiment, Vitamin D is present in the composition in anamount of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90or 95 percent by weight, or in an amount of about 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1,1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5,4.75 or 5 micrograms (μg) Vitamin D per kilogram of patient, or in anamount of about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70,75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145,150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 225, 250, 275,300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625,650, 675, 700, 725, 750, 775, 800, 825, 850, 875, 900, 925, 950, 975,1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100,2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900 or 3000 micrograms (μg)Vitamin D per kilogram of patient. Vitamin D may also be present in anamount of about 50-150,000 IU, about 100-100,000 IU, or about 1000 to50,000 IU, where 1 microgram (μg) Vitamin D is equivalent to 40 IU.Vitamin D may also be present in any range between any two of theseamounts, in an amount lesser than or greater than any two of theseamounts, or in an amount lesser than or equal to, or greater than orequal to any two of these amounts. In a preferred embodiment, Vitamin Dis present in the composition in an amount of about 2.5 to 2500micrograms/kg of patient, or about 25 to 1250 micrograms/kg of patient.

4. Nucleotides

The compositions of the present embodiments may also contain nucleotidesor related compounds such as nucleotide salts, nucleosides, nucleobases,whole RNA, and the like. For example, in a preferred embodiment, thecompositions may contain one or more ribonucleotides such as adenosinemonophosphate, cytidine monophosphate, guanosine monophosphate, inosinemonophosphate, ribothymidine monophosphate, and uridine monophosphate,and/or one or more deoxyribonucleotides such as deoxyadenosinemonophosphate, deoxycytidine monophosphate, deoxyguanosinemonophosphate, deoxyinosine monophosphate, deoxythymidine monophosphate,and deoxyuridine monophosphate.

The related compounds are compounds that are precursors of nucleotides(e.g., nucleosides or nucleobases), derivatives of nucleotides (e.g.,nucleotide salts, nucleoside diphosphates, nucleoside triphosphates), orcompositions comprising nucleotides such as DNA or RNA. In a preferredembodiment, the compositions may contain one or more ribonucleosidessuch as adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, inosine, ribothymidine anduridine, and/or one or more deoxyribonucleosides such as deoxyadenosine,deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, deoxyinosine, deoxythymidine anddeoxyuridine. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions may containRNA and/or DNA, which by their nature comprise a number of differentnucleotides.

The compositions may contain isolated nucleotides or related compounds,or may contain extracts that are high in nucleotides. For example, in apreferred embodiment, the compositions comprise an extract high innucleotides, such as an extract from the pea plant, green algaeChlorella, the brown algae Kelp, the cyanobacteria Spirulina, Brewer'sYeast, and fish oils (from, e.g., sardines, mackerel, etc.). In anotherpreferred embodiment, the compositions comprise the nucleotides orrelated compounds in isolated form, for example as sourced from Lalilab,Inc.

Nucleotides have been demonstrated to affect immune functions, includingthe enhancement and modulation of T-cell function and maturation and NKcell activity, reversing immunosuppression caused by malnutrition andstarvation, and increasing resistance to infectious agents such as S.aureus and C. albicans. Nucleotides have also been shown to stimulatetissue repair and intestinal repair. The mechanism by which nucleotidesproduce these effects is unclear, but it is possible that salvage ofsupplemental nucleotides utilizes less energy than de novo synthesis,thus allowing the body to devote more energy to immune function andtissue regeneration.

Other benefits include enhanced DNA repair via adding to the nucleotidepool (spare parts pool), reduction in DNA mutations (particularlysubstitutions of incorrect nucleotides), more rapid immune response withprovision of nucleotides to form new white blood cells, particularlyfast-responding neutrophils, enhanced wound repair, and reduced risk ofpre-cancerous tissues (neoplasia, hyperplasia). Another benefit isimproved cell turnover rate in tissues where there is characteristicallyslow cell turnover rate, such as in brain, heart and eyes, which isparticularly desirable in brain following stroke and heart following aheart attack. Further benefits include reduction in fibrosis (tissuescarring), and improved stem cell regeneration.

5. Other Components

The compositions of the present embodiments may contain additionalcomponents, including additional active components that act to enhanceresveratrol biological activity and inactive compounds (e.g.,flavorants, sweeteners, dyes, vitamins, amino acids (e.g., lysine,proline, etc.), minerals, nutrients, etc.). For example, tocopherolssuch as Vitamin E, sunflower lecithin, grape seed extract, cocoaextract, lutein, and green tea extract are preferred additionalcomponents in certain embodiments. Emulsifiers, fillers, binding agents,and the like may also be included in the compositions of the presentembodiments.

In a preferred embodiment, allicin is an additional component. Allicinis an organosulfur compound isolated from garlic that has antibacterialand anti-fungal properties. Several animal studies published between1995 and 2005 indicate that allicin may: reduce atherosclerosis and fatdeposition, normalize the lipoprotein balance, decrease blood pressure,have anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities, and function asan antioxidant to some extent. Allicin may be used in isolated form, oras a garlic extract such as Garli-Eze® garlic extract sold by NutraProducts, Inc.

The combination of the present embodiments is intended for human oranimal oral intake as a dietary supplement. For example, suchcompositions may comprise a combination of resveratrol and hyaluronan ina dietary supplement that serves to heal a variety of illnessesincluding some cancers. Resveratrol is known to be an anti-cancermolecule and to have other healing and longevity enhancing properties.Hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid, HA) is taken as an oral supplement or canbe given intravenously to target cancer cells. When combined with orattached to other molecules, hyaluronan will deliver other anti-cancerand healing agents such as resveratrol to tumor sites. The combinationmay or may not include a chelating agent, an antioxidant and/or anemulsifier. When encapsulated or otherwise applied together, with orwithout those additives, resveratrol and HA have powerful healingproperties for animals and humans.

Most preferably, the compositions of the present embodiments stabilizeresveratrol specific activity such that the resveratrol of thecompositions has a specific activity that is greater than that ofresveratrol maintained in the presence of oxygen gas, or maintained inthe absence of a chelator, hyaluronic acid, or vitamin D. Preferably,the amounts of the non-resveratrol constituents of the compositions willstabilize the composition's resveratrol so that it exhibits at least 10%more activity, at least 20% more activity, at least 50% more activity,at least 2-times the activity, at least 5-times the activity, or atleast 10-times the activity of resveratrol maintained in the presence ofoxygen gas, or maintained in the absence of a chelator, hyaluronic acid,or vitamin D and so that it remains capable of exhibiting such specificactivity over extended periods (for example, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 18, 24,or 36 months or longer) at ambient conditions of temperature andhumidity (i.e., without need for special precautions as to temperatureor humidity).

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises or consistsessentially of one or more plant extracts comprising trans-resveratroland one or more of the following: a chelator such as phytic acid; one ormore additional phenolic antioxidants such as quercetin or ferulic acid(ferulate); and Vitamin D. These compositions exhibit numerous benefitsas compared to pure resveratrol alone. A particular benefit, explainedin detail in Example 6 below, is that the present compositions do notexhibit the hormetic action characteristic of resveratrol (adose-response relationship that is stimulatory at low doses, butdetrimental at higher doses resulting in a J-shaped or an invertedU-shaped dose response curve). Instead, the present compositions have anL-shaped dose response curve, meaning that they are safe (non-toxic)even at high doses.

Preferred compositions comprise resveratrol (preferably, a compositiondosage of from about 10 mg to about 2 g, more preferably from about 100mg to about 500 mg), and at least one compound selected from the groupconsisting of an chelator, a glycosaminoglycan (e.g., hyaluronic acid),and vitamin D, and may also comprise other compounds such asantioxidants, emulsifiers, etc.

B. Methods of Treatment

The administration of the compositions of the present invention may befor a “prophylactic” or “therapeutic” purpose. The compositions of thepresent invention are said to be administered for a “therapeutic”purpose if the amount administered is physiologically significant toprovide a therapy for an actual manifestation of the disease. Whenprovided therapeutically, the composition is preferably provided at (orshortly after) the identification of a symptom of actual disease. Thetherapeutic administration of the compound serves to attenuate theseverity of such disease or to reverse its progress. The compositions ofthe present invention are said to be administered for a “prophylactic”purpose if the amount administered is physiologically significant toprovide a therapy for a potential disease or condition, e.g., to reducethe risk of heart attacks, to maintain health, to sustain a youthfulappearance, to sustain function (e.g., to sustain a certain level ofvisual acuity, etc. When provided prophylactically, the composition ispreferably provided in advance of any symptom thereof. The prophylacticadministration of the composition serves to prevent or attenuate anysubsequent advance of the disease.

Providing a therapy or “treating” refers to any indicia of success inthe treatment or amelioration of an injury, pathology or condition,including any objective or subjective parameter such as abatement,remission, diminishing of symptoms or making the injury, pathology orcondition more tolerable to the patient, slowing in the rate ofdegeneration or decline, making the final point of degeneration lessdebilitating, or improving a patient's physical or mental well-being.The treatment or amelioration of symptoms can be based on objective orsubjective parameters, including the results of a physical examination,neuropsychiatric examination, and/or laboratory methods.

Preferred subjects for treatment include animals, most preferablymammalian species such as humans, and domestic animals such as dogs,cats and the like, subject to disease and other pathological conditions.A “patient” refers to a subject, preferably mammalian (including human).In a preferred embodiment, the subject or patient is a human, and in amore preferred embodiment, the subject or patient is a human having orat risk of developing one or more of cardiovascular disease, cancer,macular degeneration, aging, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g.,Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, etc.) and inflammation.

A variety of administration routes for the compositions of the presentinvention are available. The particular mode selected will depend, ofcourse, upon the particular therapeutic agent selected, whether theadministration is for prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of disease,the severity of the medical disorder being treated and dosage requiredfor therapeutic efficacy. The methods of the present embodiments may bepracticed using any mode of administration that is medically acceptable,and produces effective levels of the active compounds without causingclinically unacceptable adverse effects. Such modes of administrationinclude, but are not limited to, oral, buccal, sublingual, inhalation,mucosal, rectal, intranasal, topical, ocular, periocular, intraocular,transdermal, subcutaneous, intra-arterial, intravenous, intramuscular,parenteral, or infusion methodologies. In a preferred embodiment,administration is oral.

The dosage schedule and amounts effective for therapeutic andprophylactic uses, i.e., the “dosing regimen”, will depend upon avariety of factors, including the stage of the disease or condition, theseverity of the disease or condition, the general state of the patient'shealth, the patient's physical status, age and the like. In calculatingthe dosage regimen for a patient, the mode of administration also istaken into consideration. The dosage regimen also takes intoconsideration pharmacokinetics parameters well known in the art, i.e.,the rate of absorption, bioavailability, metabolism, clearance, and thelike (see, e.g., Hidalgo-Aragones (1996) J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol.58:611-617; Groning (1996) Pharmazie 51:337-341; Fotherby (1996)Contraception 54:59-69; Johnson (1995) J. Pharm. Sci. 84:1144-1146;Rohatagi (1995) Pharmazie 50:610-613; Brophy (1983) Eur. J. Clin.Pharmacol. 24:103-108). The state of the art allows the clinician todetermine the dosage regimen for each individual patient, therapeuticagent and disease or condition treated. Single or multipleadministrations of the compositions of the present invention can beadministered depending on the dosage and frequency as required andtolerated by the patient. The duration of prophylactic and therapeutictreatment will vary depending on the particular disease or conditionbeing treated. Some diseases lend themselves to acute treatment whereasothers require long-term therapy.

The compositions of the present embodiments may be administered to asubject alone, or to a subject who is or will receive another medicamentor medical therapy. For example, in a preferred embodiment, thecompositions of the present embodiments are co-administered to a subjectwith stem cell therapy or a treatment for macular degeneration ormacular dystrophy. Co-administration may be simultaneous, serially,contemporaneously, or in any other suitable fashion.

In a preferred embodiment, said administration or co-administrationprovides a therapeutic or prophylactic benefit to the subject that is atleast 1.5 fold, 2 fold, 2.5 fold, 3 fold, 3.5 fold, 4 fold, 4.5 fold, 5fold, 5.5 fold, 6 fold, 6.5 fold, 7 fold, or more than 7 fold greaterthan the therapeutic or prophylactic benefit achieved by resveratrolalone, calorie restriction alone, or the other medicament or medicaltherapy (e.g., stem cell therapy or treatment of macular degeneration ormacular dystrophy) alone. In another preferred embodiment, saidco-administration provides a therapeutic or prophylactic benefit to thesubject that is at least 125 percent, 150 percent, 175 percent, 200percent, 250 percent, 300 percent, 350 percent, 400 percent, 450percent, 500 percent, or more than 500 percent greater than thetherapeutic or prophylactic benefit achieved by resveratrol alone,calorie restriction alone, or the stem cell therapy or treatment ofmacular degeneration or macular dystrophy alone.

The compositions of these embodiments enhance resveratrol's specificactivity. The compositions of the present embodiments therefore findutility in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases (or in theamelioration of the symptoms of diseases) such as cardiovasculardisease, cancer, macular degeneration, aging, neurodegenerative diseases(e.g., Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, etc.) and inflammationin which the modulation of expression of “survival/longevity” genesand/or “damage inducing” genes is desired. Over time, as minerals suchas calcium and iron accumulate in the human body, genes respond indeleterious ways. Liu, Y. et al. (2005) Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci.35(3):230-239; Templeton, D. M. et al. (2003) Biochim. Biophys. Acta.1619(2):113-124; Ikeda, H. et al. (1992) Hepatology 15(2):282-287. Thepresent embodiments have particular utility in the treatment of maculardegeneration, cancer and the conditions of aging.

Additional embodiments provide a method of ameliorating a symptomassociated with an existing disease of an individual or for preventingthe onset of the symptom in an individual prior to the occurrence of thedisease in the individual, which comprises administering to theindividual, a resveratrol-containing composition that modulates theconcentration or activity, relative to resveratrol alone or calorierestriction, of the product of a survival/longevity gene or the productof a gene whose expression enhances cellular damage, wherein theresveratrol is provided in an amount effective to cause a modulation ofthe concentration or activity of the gene that ameliorates the symptomof the disease, and wherein the disease is selected from the groupconsisting of: cardiovascular disease, cancer, macular degeneration, adisease associated with aging, and inflammation. The embodiments furtherprovide such methods wherein the disease is cancer, or a diseaseassociated with aging (especially a neurodegenerative disease).

1. Stem-Cell-Related Methods

In one preferred embodiment, the compositions of the present embodimentsare co-administered to a subject with cell implantation or transplanttherapy such as stem cell implantation or injection. The cells may bestem cells or cells derived from stem cells, such as human embryonicstem cells, or adult stem cells such as bone marrow stem cells, cardiacstem cells, endothelial stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, mammarystem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, neural crest stem cells, neural stemcells, olfactory adult stem cells, testicular stem cells, and very smallembryonic-like “VSEL” stem cells, or combinations thereof, or cellsderived from any of the foregoing. In a preferred embodiment, thetransplanted cells are selected from the group consisting of cardiacstem cells, neural stem cells, and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE)cells.

The therapeutic benefits that may be shown in such celltransplant-related embodiments include one or more benefits selectedfrom the group consisting of improved stem cell differentiation,improved cell adhesion, improved cell survival, improved cellproliferation, and combinations thereof.

Stem cells are recognized as the origin of all renewed cells in thehuman body. Stem cell implantation is believed to be of benefit inregeneration of damaged tissues, particularly for brain or heart tissuedamaged by infarction or trauma, or tissue that does not normallyexhibit rapid cell renewal and turnover. Chacko et al., Am. J. Physiol.Heart Circ. Physiol. 2009 396(5):H1263-73; Wakabayashi et al., J.Neurosci. Res. 2010 88(5):1017-25. Antioxidants have been demonstratedto reduce free radicals and improve stem cell adhesion and stem cellsurvival during and following implantation. Song et al., Stem Cells 201028(3):555-63; Rodriguez-Porcel et al., Mol. Imaging Biol. 201012(3):325-34; Kashiwa et al., Tissue Eng. Part A. 2010 16(1):91-100. Itis also known that resveratrol, a small molecule, enhances activity ofendogenous antioxidants such as glutathione. superoxide dismutase(particularly manganese SOD), and catalase, and up-regulates thesynthesis of stem cells themselves. Kao et al. Stem Cells Dev. 201019(2):247-58.

It has been demonstrated in animals that orally administered resveratrolhelps to maintain a reduced cellular environment (less free radicalactivity) at a relatively low dose concentration (2.5 mg per kilogram ofbody weight, 175 mg per 160-lb human) which results in improved stemcell survival and enhanced cardiac function (ejection fraction, etc.).Gurusamy et al., J. Cell. and Mol. Medicine 14(9):2235-39 (2010). Inparticular, Gurusamy et al. reported that pre-treatment of rats with lowdose resveratrol for two weeks prior to injection of cardiac stem cellsinto the myocardium significantly improved cardiac functional parameterssuch as left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening.Pre-treatment also enhanced stem cell survival and proliferation asdemonstrated by differentiation of stem cells towards the regenerationof the myocardium.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, aresveratrol composition of the present invention is administered orallyto preserve stem cells following implantation. The results ofadministering this mixture include greater genomic response, andimproved tissue function (i.e., heart muscle activity—ejection fraction)equal to or greater than what has been exhibited in prior experiments.The mixture of constituents is preferably provided in a capsule but maybe in pill, tablet, or liquid form.

2. Macular Degeneration

The prolongation of the human lifespan over the past few decades in theUS has spawned the proliferation of macular degeneration, an age-relatedeye disease. While not resulting in total vision loss, the disease robsolder adults of their central vision used for reading as well as colorvision. Macular degeneration affects the visual center of the eye,called the macula. The macula is part of the retina where color-visioncells (cones) are located.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions of the present embodimentsare co-administered to a subject with one or more macular degenerationor macular dystrophy treatments selected from the group consisting of ananti-angiogenic medicament (e.g., anecortave acetate, bevacizumab,bevasiranib, pegaptanib sodium, ranibizumab, etc.), an anti-drusenmedicament (e.g., ARC1905, copaxone, eculizumab, fenretinide, RN6G,etc.) implantation of a miniature telescope into the eye, laserphotocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, or administration of anothertherapy such as alprostadil, AREDS2, cortical implants, maculartranslocation, micro-electrical stimulation, NT-501, photobiomodulation,radiation therapy, retinal implants or transplants, rheopheresis, celltransplantation (e.g., RPE cell transplantation, stem celltransplantation, etc.), submacular surgery, or a combination thereof.

The therapeutic benefits that may be shown in such macular-relatedembodiments include one or more benefits selected from the groupconsisting of preserved or improved eyesight (e.g., visual acuity),shrinkage or halting enlargement of visual defects, sparing cells in thecentral macula, permitting normal functioning of tissues surrounding oradjacent to the macula, decreases or prevention of increases in theamount of drusen or amyloid beta in the eyes, improving or increasingblood flow to the eye (and particularly the macula and retina),inhibition of blood vessel growth and leakage (e.g., angiogenesis),inhibition of scarring, improved retinal function, prevention or slowingof macular degeneration, prevention or slowing of cell deathparticularly retinal cells, reduction or elimination of eye lesions(e.g., geographic atrophy lesions), and combinations thereof.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, aresveratrol composition of the present invention is administered orallyto: (1) limit oxidation in retinal tissues (photoreceptors, retinalpigment epithelial cells (RPE), choroid, specifically mitochondria andlysosomes in RPE cells); (2) inhibit accumulation of lipofuscindeposits; (3) inhibit formation of drusen; and (4) limit calcificationsto retinal tissues, especially Bruch's membrane.

3. Cancer

A major challenge in cancer therapy is to selectively target cytotoxicagents to tumor cells (Luo, Y. et al. (2000) Biomacromolecules1(2):208-218). To decrease undesirable side effects of small moleculeanticancer agents, many targeting approaches have been examined. One ofthe most promising methods involves the combination or covalentattachment of the cytotoxin with a macromolecular carrier, and inparticular with hyaluronic acid (Luo, Y. et al. (1999) Bioconjug. Chem.10(5):755-763; Luo, Y. et al. (1999) Bioconjug. Chem. 12(6):1085-1088;Luo, Y. et al. (2002) Pharm. Res. 19(4):396-402).

In one embodiment, the present embodiments relates to aresveratrol-composition of the present invention for the treatment ofcancer. Upon provision with such composition, the sentinels of theinnate immune system, dendritic cells, can be alerted and neutrophils,macrophages and natural killer cell activity can be significantlyenhanced. This approach appears to be more appropriate for senioradults, the highest risk group for cancer, who are oftenimmune-compromised due to poor nutrition or lack of nutrient absorption.The fact that this therapy can now be immediately measured foreffectiveness by non-invasive cancer cell counting technology means thatexpensive and equivocal tests on animals may not be required to proveefficacy.

Resveratrol calms the response of phagocytes to foreign invaders likegerms and tumor cells. Resveratrol dampens production of reactive oxygenspecies (free radicals) and normalizes particle ingestion in macrophagecells. Therefore, resveratrol prevents the over-response of immune cellsthat can produce autoimmunity.

Resveratrol blocks cancer in so many ways that it is difficult to find apathway for cancer that is not obstructed by resveratrol. Resveratrolinduces the cell energy compartments in tumor cells, calledmitochondria, to release an enzyme called cytochrome C oxidase thatusually leads to a cascade of other enzymes that induce programmed celldeath, called apoptosis. But a recent experiment also shows thatresveratrol releases cytochrome C from ovarian tumor cells that leads torapid cell death via a process called autophagy, a process where enzymesproduced inside the tumor cell actually digest its innards (kind of aform of intracellular cannibalism). This is a form of cell suicide thatresveratrol activates in tumor cells, but not healthy cells.

The contribution of innate immunity in surveillance of tumors iscomparatively neglected in cancer biology. Phagocytosis, or “celleating” is the cornerstone of the innate immune response. Focus has beendirected to dendritic cells which are believed to be sentinels of theinnate immune response. A limited number of immune-boosting agents havebeen investigated. Skepticism surrounds interest in innate immuneapproaches to cancer treatment. For example, patients takingimmune-suppressing agents don't necessarily develop cancer with morefrequency. However, this may be misunderstood. An over-responsive immunesystem may lead to more tissue and organ damage that can be mortal tocancer patients. Most of the drugs used for breast cancer therapy induceimmune suppression.

Nature's most potent iron chelator is inositol hexaphosphate (IP6),which is found in seeds and the bran fraction of whole grains. A lowdosage of IP6 has been found to suppress the growth of rhabdomyosarcomacells by 50%. Removal of IP6 allows these tumor cells to recover andgrow once again. IP6-treated mice with injected tumors exhibit tumorsthat are 50 times smaller than non-treated mice. IP6 has also been shownto reduce the growth of injected fibrosarcoma cells in mice and prolongtheir survival. In examining the immune enhancing properties of IP6 ithas been shown that it boosts production of free radicals (superoxide)and the cell digesting action of neutrophils in the presence ofbacteria. IP6 increases the release of interleukin-8. The action ofnatural killer cells, which are involved in tumor cell destruction, isenhanced by IP6.

4. Aging

Calcification and rusting of cells impairs the cleansing of cellulardebris (lipofuscin) from cells by enzymes produced by lysosomes, andresults in impairment of cellular energy (ATP) produced by themitochondria within cells. The compositions of the present embodimentsinhibit and/or reverse cellular aging and/or connective tissue aging,and in particular, inhibit and/or reverse cellular aging and/orconnective tissue aging caused by an accumulation of major minerals(e.g., iron, calcium, etc.). As a consequence, recipients of thecompositions of the present embodiments exhibit enhanced longevity andenhanced cellular and connective tissue health and structure.

The human body ages at the cellular level by the slow accumulation ofcellular debris called lipofuscin, which is facilitated by theprogressive accumulation of iron and calcium within lysosomes andmitochondria. A cell cleansing and renewal process called autophagyprevents the accumulation of lipofuscin during the years of youthfulgrowth, but this lysosomal mechanism declines once full growth isachieved due to accumulation of intracellular iron and calcium.Progressive inability to remove cellular debris results declining cellfunction and then premature death of the cell. A young cell efficientlyremoves debris from within. An old cell cannot efficiently remove debrisand accumulates lipofuscin. The mitochondria, which provides cellularenergy for lysosomal bodies to perform their cell cleansing activity,also becomes progressively calcified and ironized once childhood growthceases. Only about 5% of mitochondria are functioning by age 80. Ironand calcium chelators are proposed to remedy mitochondrial aging whichimpacts cellular functions such as lysosomal enzymatic activity

The human body ages within connective tissue by failure of cells calledfibroblasts to regenerate collagen and hyaluronic acid, the latter beinga space-filling, water-holding molecule. Collagen formation isfacilitated by vitamins and amino acids in the diet (vitamin C, lysine,proline). Fibroblasts can be stimulated to produce hyaluronic acid byestrogen, made naturally in the body, and by estrogen-like moleculesfound in plants, called phytoestrogens, provided in the diet of byhyaluronic acid itself. Young females, by virtue of the ability toproduce estrogen, exhibit thicker hair, smoother skin and more flexiblejoints, due to the abundance of hyaluronic acid. All of these beingattributes of youthfulness.

In one embodiment, the present embodiments address both cellular andextracellular (connective tissue) aging, thus (a) preserving youthfulfunction of living cells by removal of excess minerals, largely calciumand iron, from cells, this facilitating autophagy (cleanup of cellulardebris, such as lipofuscin, via lysosomal enzymes) and (b) invigoratingand preserving production of hyaluronan by stimulation of fibroblasts byHA, phytoestrogens (resveratrol, quercetin, genistein, are a few), toinhibition of degradation of HA by provision of metal chelators, such asphytic acid, ferulate, quercetin, resveratrol, etc.

In one embodiment, the dietary supplement addresses both cellular andextra-cellular aging by its ability to stimulate renewal of living cellsfrom within via enzymatic degradation of cellular debris byintracellular lysosomal bodies. This is facilitated by the inclusion ofmetal (iron, copper, heavy metal) and calcium chelating molecules withinthe formula. Lysosomes lose their ability to enzymatically digestcellular debris with the progressive accumulation of iron, copper andother metals, and the crystallization of calcium. In another embodiment,the dietary supplement stimulates fibroblasts to produce hyaluronic acidat youthful levels again. This is accomplished by provision oforally-consumed molecules that stimulate fibroblasts to producehyaluronic acid. In another embodiment, the dietary supplement includesmetal chelating molecules that help maintain youthful lysosomal functionare identified as antioxidants, like vitamin E or vitamin C, lipoicacid, metal chelators like IP6 phytate, quercetin, bioflavonoids orpolyphenols, resveratrol. Resveratrol works by its ability to stimulateproduction of heme oxygenase, an enzyme that helps to control iron. Thedietary supplement may also include molecules that inhibitcrystallization of calcium are magnesium and IP6 phytate, and orallyconsumed molecules that stimulate fibroblasts to produce hyaluronic acidare hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, chondroitin, or estrogen-likemolecules such as genistein, lignans, hydroxytyrosol, or other moleculesconfigured like estrogen. Orally consumed HA stimulates greater HA andchondroitin synthesis. Similarly, glucosamine stimulate fibroblasts toproduce HA. Alternatively, or additionally, glucosamine stimulatessynovial production of hyaluronic acid, which is primarily responsiblefor the lubricating and shock-absorbing properties of synovial fluid”(McCarty, M. F. (1998) Medical Hypotheses 50:507-510, 1998). In yetanother embodiment, the dietary supplement may include orally consumedmolecules that stimulate production of collagen are vitamin C, prolineand lysine.

The present embodiments relates to a method for restoring youthfulfunction and appearance to human cells and tissues comprising thefollowing steps: (a) stimulating renewal of living cells from within viaenzymatic degradation of cellular debris by intracellular lysosomalbodies (preferably by providing a metal chelating molecule that helpsmaintain youthful lysosomal function, such molecules comprisingantioxidants, such as vitamin E or vitamin C, lipoic acid, metalchelators like IP6 phytate, quercetin, bioflavonoids or polyphenols,and/or resveratrol); and (b) stimulating fibroblasts to producehyaluronic acid (comprises providing orally consumed molecules thatstimulate fibroblasts to produce hyaluronic acid, such orally consumedmolecules comprising, for example, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine,chondroitin, and/or estrogen-like molecules such as genistein, lignans,hydroxytyrosol, or other molecules configured like estrogen).Preferably, such stimulation is achieved by the dietary administrationof a composition comprising the stated compounds, more preferably incombination with an orally consumable molecule that stimulatesproduction of collagen, such molecules comprising, for example, vitaminC, proline and/or lysine.

The individual components of the composition are believed to actsynergistically to enhance the effect of, for example, resveratrol.Without intending to be limited thereby, it is proposed that the body'scontrol or chelation of iron and calcium regulates the rate of agingafter full growth has been achieved. During childhood growth all theiron and calcium are directed towards production of new bone and new redblood cells (hemoglobin). The cessation of childhood growth results inexcess iron, copper and calcium, which then progressively (a) calcifiesand (b) rusts tissues. The lysosomes begin to accumulate iron andcalcium, which results in their dysfunction. The mitochondria begin tomalfunction as they also progressively rust and calcify. Thecompositions of the present embodiments are believed to be capable oflimiting or slowing the progressive rusting and calcification of cellsand cellular organelles to thereby facilitate a slowing or reversal ofthe aging process. The chelation is what controls the genes. Genes arethen favorably upregulated or downregulated. Resveratrol and a copperchelator are believed to act: (1) as controllers of calciumconcentration via upregulation of osteocalcin, the hormone that helpsretain calcium in bones and (2) as controllers of iron concentration viaheme oxygenase, an antioxidant enzyme.

MAO inhibitors and iron chelators have been proposed as treatments forParkinson's disease (Youdim, M. B. et al. (2004) J. Neural. Transm.111(10-11):1455-1471; Yáñez, M. et al. (2006) Eur. J. Pharmacol.542(1-3):54-60; Bureau, G. et al. (2008) J. Neurosci. Res.86(2):403-410; Singh, A. et al. (2003) Pharmacol. 68(2):81-88; Gao, X.et al. (2007) Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 86(5):1486-1494; Johnson, S. (2001)Med. Hypotheses 56(2):171-173). The compositions of the presentembodiments which contain the MAO inhibitor and copper chelator,resveratrol, the iron chelator and MAO inhibitor, quercetin, and thebroad metal chelator, phytic acid are particularly preferred for thetreatment of neurodegenerative diseases (especially Parkinson's Disease,camptocormia, and Alzheimer's Disease) or in the amelioration of thesymptoms of such diseases.

C. Modulation of Gene Product Concentration or Activity

In an example embodiment, the compositions are capable of modulatinggene expression to an extent greater than that observed with resveratrolalone or with calorie restriction. In a preferred embodiment, thespecific activity of the resveratrol in a resveratrol-containingcomposition has been stabilized or enhanced. As used herein, the term“specific activity” refers to the ratio of the extent of gene modulation(relative to control) per amount (mass) of administered resveratrol. Inanother preferred embodiment, the compositions up-regulate asurvival/longevity gene or down-regulate a gene whose expressionenhances cellular damage upon administration to a recipient.

The embodiments pertains to compositions that, upon administration to arecipient, increase the concentration or activity of asurvival/longevity gene product and/or decrease the concentration oractivity of a gene product that induces or causes cellular damage. Asused herein, such increase (or decrease) in concentration or activitymay be accomplished by any mechanism. For example, such increase (ordecrease) may reflect a modulation of gene expression resulting ineither increased (or decreased) expression of the gene encoding thesurvival/longevity gene product, or a gene that regulates (e.g., inducesor represses) or whose product regulates such expression or activity.Alternatively, or conjunctively, such increase (or decrease) inconcentration or activity may reflect a modulation of the recipient'sability to degrade or stabilize any such gene products. Alternatively,or conjunctively, such increase (or decrease) in concentration oractivity may reflect a modulation of the recipient's ability to enhance,accelerate, repress or decelerate the activity of any such geneproducts.

The modulation of concentration or activity discussed above may be amodulation of intracellular, intercellular and/or tissue concentrationor activity of such survival/longevity gene products or such geneproducts that induce or cause cellular damage. Such modulation may beidentified by assays of DNA expression, assays of gene product activity,assays of the level of gene product, assays of the rate of gene productturnover, etc. conducted in one or more types of cells, tissues, etc.

An increase in the concentration of a survival/longevity gene productmay result from, for example, increased transcription of the gene thatencodes the survival/longevity gene product, increased transcription ofa gene that induces the expression of the gene that encodes thesurvival/longevity gene product, decreased transcription of a gene thatrepresses the expression of the gene that encodes the survival/longevitygene product, decreased degradation or enhanced stabilization ofexpressed molecules of the survival/longevity gene product (leading tothe enhanced accumulation of the survival/longevity gene product).Similarly, a decrease in the concentration of a survival/longevity geneproduct may result from, for example, decreased transcription of thegene that encodes the survival/longevity gene product, decreasedtranscription of a gene that induces the expression of the gene thatencodes the survival/longevity gene product, increased transcription ofa gene that represses the expression of the gene that encodes thesurvival/longevity gene product, increased degradation or decreasedstabilization of expressed molecules of the survival/longevity geneproduct (leading to the enhanced dissipation of the survival/longevitygene product).

One aspect of the present embodiments thus relates to the use ofresveratrol and resveratrol-containing compositions to modulate geneexpression, and in particular, to modulate the expression of“survival/longevity” genes and/or “damage inducing” genes. As usedherein, a compound is said to “modulate” gene expression if itsadministration results in a change in expression (relative to a control)of such genes of at least 10%. Modulation may involve an increase inexpression (“up-regulation”) or it may involve a decrease in expression(“down-regulation”). The term up-regulate thus denotes an increase ofexpression of at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 50%, at least 2-fold,at least 5-fold, or most preferably at least 10-fold (relative to acontrol). The term down-regulate conversely denotes a decrease ofexpression of at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 50%, at least 2-fold,at least 5-fold, or most preferably at least 10-fold (relative to acontrol).

A second aspect of the present embodiments relates to the use ofresveratrol and resveratrol-containing compositions to modulate theconcentration or activity of expressed products of “survival/longevity”genes and/or “damage inducing” genes. As used herein, a compound is saidto “modulate” the concentration or activity of such expressed productsif its administration results in a change in an intracellular,intercellular or tissue concentration or activity (relative to acontrol) of such gene products of at least 10%. Modulation may, forexample, involve an “enhanced accumulation” or an “enhanced activity”or, for example, it may involve a “diminished accumulation” or a“diminished activity.” The term “enhanced accumulation” (or “enhancedactivity”) denotes an increase in concentration (or activity) of atleast 10%, at least 20%, at least 50%, at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold,or most preferably at least 10-fold (relative to a control). The term“diminished accumulation” or “diminished activity.” conversely denotes adecrease in concentration (or activity) of at least 10%, at least 20%,at least 50%, at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, or most preferably atleast 10-fold (relative to a control).

As used herein, a “survival/longevity” gene is a gene whose expressioncontributes to an increase in the survival or longevity of a subject(e.g., a mammal, and particularly a human) expressing such gene.Conversely, a “damage inducing” gene is a gene whose expressioncontributes to DNA, cellular, or tissue damage in such subject. Suchgenes are responders to biological stressors, they initiate action inresponse to stressors such as radiation (e.g., sunlight, gamma rays, UVlight, etc.), radiomimetic agents (e.g., vitamin D), heat, nearstarvation (calorie restriction, or its mimetic, resveratrol) bymodulating their expression.

In a preferred embodiment, the survival/longevity gene is a sirtuingene. The sirtuins are a conserved family of deacetylases andmono-ADP-ribosyltransferases, which have emerged as key regulators ofcell survival and organismal longevity. Mammals have at least sevensirtuins, including Sirtuins 1 through 7. Sirtuin 1 is a nucleardeacetylase that regulates functions including glucose homeostasis, fatmetabolism and cell survival. The Sirtuin 1 gene is known to control therate of aging of living organisms by virtue of its ability to produceDNA repair enzymes and mimics the beneficial effects of calorierestriction. The trans form of resveratrol (but not cis-resveratrol)activates the Sirtuin 1 gene. The Sirtuin 3 gene is a mitochondrialsirtuin that regulates acetyl-CoA synthetase 2, and thus its modulationhas physiological applications including increasing mitochondrialbiogenesis or metabolism, increasing fatty acid oxidation, anddecreasing reactive oxygen species. The role of Sirtuin 3 in promotingcell survival during genotoxic stress was demonstrated in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2011/0082189. Preferred embodimentsparticularly pertain to compositions that modulate (increase ordecrease) the concentration of the Sirtuin 1 or Sirtuin 3survival/longevity gene products, particularly as compared to theability of resveratrol alone to modulate the gene products.

In particular, commercial formulations of Longevinex® have been shown toupregulate Sirtuin 3 at rates up to 2.95 times greater than resveratrolalone. Mukherjee et al., Can. J. Pharmol. Physiol. 2010 November;88(11):1017-25. Sirtuin3 protein regulates manganese superoxidedismutase (Mn SOD) within the mitochondria, which may have direct affectupon aging, function and survival of the mitochondria with advancing ageand in states of disease. Data also suggests that the commercialLongevinex® formulations lowered C-reactive protein (marker ofinflammation), reduced insulin, raised HDL cholesterol and abolishedimpairment of flow-mediated arterial dilatation, the first sign ofatherosclerotic disease.

Examples of survival/longevity genes and genes whose expression enhancescellular damage include, e.g., the genes disclosed in Tables 1 and 2, ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/212,494 filed on Sep. 17, 2008,which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Mostpreferably, such genes are human genes. In a preferred embodiment, thecompositions increase the concentration of the forkhead Foxo1 (daf-16,dFoxO) transcription factor survival/longevity gene product.

Some embodiments provide a composition that comprises trans-resveratroland a metal chelating agent, and may additionally comprise quercetin,one or more glycosaminoglycans, and/or vitamin D. The trans-resveratrolmay be encapsulated to substantially preserve the biological activity ofthe composition from loss due to exposure of the trans-resveratrol tolight or oxygen. Particularly provided are compositions that compriseresveratrol, a chelator, hyaluronic acid, and/or vitamin D, andcompositions which comprise the chelator phytic acid (inositolhexaphosphate; IP6), the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid, and vitaminD.

Other embodiments provide resveratrol-containing compositions capable ofmodulating gene expression to an extent greater than that observed withresveratrol alone or with calorie restriction. The compositions may beused to up-regulate a survival/longevity gene or down-regulate a genewhose expression enhances cellular damage upon administration to arecipient, and may also be used in the treatment or prevention ofcancer, cardiovascular disease, diseases associated with aging, andother conditions and illnesses. Particular embodiments provide aresveratrol-containing composition that, upon administration to arecipient, modulates the concentration or activity, relative toresveratrol alone or calorie restriction, of the product of asurvival/longevity gene or the product of a gene whose expressionenhances cellular damage. Administration is preferably by oralingestion.

Particular embodiments provide compositions and methods where themodulation alters: (A) oxidative phosphorylation; (B) actin filamentlength or polymerization; (C) intracellular transport; (D) organellebiogenesis; (E) insulin signaling; (F) glycolysis; (G) gluconeogenesis;or (H) fatty acid metabolism. The gene product may be asurvival/longevity gene product, and particularly Sirtuin 1, Sirtuin 3,or the forkhead Foxo1 transcription factor. The gene product may enhancecellular damage, and particularly may be encoded by the uncouplingprotein 3, Pgc-1, or pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 genes.

D. Packaging of the Compositions

Resveratrol is typically unstable to light and oxidation (ShaanxiUniversity of Science & Technology, Xianyang China (2007) Zhong Yao Cai.30(7):805-80). The resveratrol of the present embodiments is preferablyprepared, packaged and/or stored in a manner that maximizes its specificactivity. It is preferred to prepare, package and/or store resveratrolin low light (or in the dark) and/or in low oxygen, so as to minimizelight-induced degradation (e.g., photo-isomerization) or oxygen-induceddegradation. The preferred compositions of the present embodiments areformulated as dietary supplements for oral ingestion in the form of apill, lozenge, capsule, elixir, syrup, etc. Other modalities ofadministration may alternatively be employed (e.g., intranasal,parenteral, intravenous, intraarterial, topical, etc.).

The resveratrol or plant extract comprising resveratrol is preferablyencapsulated in a substantially oxygen-free environment. As used herein,the phrase “substantially oxygen-free” is intended to includeenvironments having less than less than about 100 parts per millionoxygen. Ideally, the encapsulation process would take place immediatelyafter the extraction or formation of the small molecules and be shieldedfrom exposure to light, heat, and oxygen. Alternatively, the materialincluding small molecules may be stored in a substantially oxygen-freeenvironment until encapsulated. The encapsulation process includes thesteps of (1) providing a capsule including a head portion and a bodyportion; (2) at least partially filling the body portion with thematerial including biologically active small molecules; (3) axiallypositioning the head portion over the body portion such that theportions at least partially overlap; and (4) forming a fluid tight (airand liquid impermeable) seal along the overlapping portions.

The material comprising the capsule portions is not particularlylimited. Preferably, the capsule portions comprise material possessing alow oxygen transmission rate. For example, it is preferred the capsuleportions comprise a material having an oxygen transmission rate (asmeasured by ASTM D3985) of less than about 165 cm³/m²/day for 100 μm,more preferably less than about 4 cm³/m²/day for 100 μm, and mostpreferably less than about 1 cm³/m²/day for 100 μm. Exemplary materialscomprising the capsule portions include, but are not limited to, aningestible material such as gelatin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, orstarch. By way of specific example, the material may include gelatinhaving an oxygen transmission rate of about 3.5 cm³/m²/day for 100 μm.The resulting capsules may include hard gelatin capsules or soft gelatincapsules having an oxygen transmission rate of up to about 0.04cm³/capsule/day (ASTM D3985 at 27° C. and rel. humidity of 50%). Inaddition, opaque capsules are highly preferred. This can be achieved byadding pigment such as titanium dioxide to the capsule materialformulation. Titanium dioxide is inert and possesses a high molecularweight, which prevents it from being absorbed into blood circulationwhen ingested. Opaque capsules function to prevent the degradation ofthe resveratrol-containing composition by light degenerative processessuch as photooxidation. A commercially available, opaque capsule havinglow oxygen permeability is available from Capsugel (Greenwood,S.C.—www.capsugel.com), sold under the trade name Licaps®.

The system used to encapsulate the composition including biologicallyactive small molecules material must create a fluid-tight (air andliquid impermeable) seal around capsule portions. A particularlypreferred encapsulation system and process is disclosed in WO01/08631A1, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In thissystem and associated process, a capsule head portion and a capsule bodyportion are placed in a filling chamber. The capsule body portion isfilled with the desired dosage material, and the capsule portions arethen telescopically joined such that the head portion partially overlapsthe body portion. A sealing liquid including a solvent is applied in thegap formed between the overlapping sections, and the capsule is dried toremove the solvent and form a fluid-tight seal.

It is important that the encapsulation process occurs in a substantiallyoxygen-free environment. In addition, it is preferred the encapsulationprocess take place in a darkened (substantially light free) environment.As explained above, small molecules such as resveratrol lose theirbiological activity upon exposure to light and/or oxygen (due, e.g., tooxidation processes). Consequently, the composition containing smallmolecules should be mixed and/or encapsulated in a system includingairtight and darkened mixing and filling chambers having a substantiallyoxygen-free environment. This can be achieved by using an enclosedsystem from which oxygen is removed. Oxygen may be removed using avacuum, replacing the oxygen within the system with an inert gas flush,or a combination thereof. For example, the system can be purged ofoxygen using a controlled nitrogen blanket. In addition, the system iskept substantially oxygen free through the use of a nitrogen flushduring the encapsulation process. A nitrogen purge may also be used toremove oxygen from each individual capsule. Specifically, prior tosealing, a positive pressure can be applied to each capsule to replaceany oxygen present within the capsule with nitrogen. Upon sealing, anitrogen bubble remains within the capsule. A commercially availableencapsulation system capable of filling capsules in a substantiallyoxygen-free and light-free environment is available from Capsugel(Greenwood, S.C.—www.capsugel.com), sold under the trade name CPS 1000Capsule Filling Machine.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions of the present embodimentsare formulated as air-tight capsules in which encapsulation is conductedso as to prevent or minimize exposure to oxygen. In one embodiment, suchencapsulation is conducted in an oxygen-free environment. For example,the components of the compositions of the present embodiments may beinserted into a capsule in an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen, argon, etc.)environment. Preferably, a nitrogen bubble (e.g., 5-20% of the capsulevolume) may be introduced into the capsule to further stabilize andprotect the components against oxidation (see, PCT Publication No. WO01/08631, herein incorporated by reference). That internationalapplication has a corresponding U.S. patent application. Suitablecapsules useful in the encapsulation of resveratrol and other oxidationprone ingredients of dietary supplements include Licaps® (Capsugel), anair-tight gelatin capsule. The presence of phytic acid, which has theability to protect the components from metal-induced oxidation, augmentssuch anti-oxidation precautions. A particularly preferred example ofsuch a resveratrol-containing composition is Longevinex® (ResveratrolPartners, LLC, San Dimas, Calif.), which comprises resveratrol andphytic acid. Longevinex® contains as active ingredients (per capsule): 5mg Vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols), 215 mg total resveratrol (obtainedfrom French red wine and giant knotwood (Polygonum cuspidatum), andproviding 100 mg of trans-resveratrol), 25 mg quercetin dihydrate, 75 mgphytic acid (rice bran extract), 380 mg rice bran oil, 55 mg sunflowerlecithin.

Once a composition has been sealed into an air-tight capsule, it isimportant to maintain a low or no-oxygen environment in the packagingsurrounding the capsules in order to protect the composition fromoxidation should a break or leak occur in the sealed capsule. Therefore,an oxygen absorbing packette is preferably employed to reduce thepresence of free oxygen. Vacuum or nitrogen-flushed packaging (bottles,pill cases, etc.) in air-tight materials is desirable.

In an alternative embodiment, the components and compositions of thepresent embodiments may be prepared as a microencapsulated process (see,generally, Rubiana, M. et al. (2004) Current Drug Targets,5(5):449-455). Micro-encapsulation is a process by which tiny particlesor droplets (ranging in size from a few nanometers to one micron) arecoated with a protective layer to create small capsules with controlledproperties. Suitable micron-sized, encapsulated, preparations can beobtained using the microencapsulation processes of Maxx Performance Inc.(Chester, N.Y.), Blue California (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.),Southwest Research Institute (San Antonio, Tex.), Coating Place, Inc.(Verona, Wis.), Microtek Laboratories (Dayton, Ohio), Particle Sciences,Inc. (Bethlehem, Pa.), etc. 3^(rd)-generation Longevinex®(“Longevinex-3®”) (Resveratrol Partners, LLC), which contains VitaminD3, Vitamin E, Resveratrol, Quercetin, and Phytic Acid is a particularlypreferred microencapsulated form of the compositions of the presentembodiments. The present embodiments further comprises a practicalmethod of stabilizing quercetin and other easily oxidized dietarysupplement ingredients which may come in contact with oxidizing metals.

Having now generally described the embodiments, the same will be morereadily understood through reference to the following examples, whichare provided by way of illustration and are not intended to be limitingof the present embodiments unless specified.

Example 1 Comparative Effects of Resveratrol and Compositions of thePresent Embodiments

In order to determine if the compositions of the present embodiments aremore effective than resveratrol alone in mediating a resveratrolbiological activity, an analysis of gene expression is conducted,comparing the modulation of gene expression achieved by calorierestriction to the modulation of gene expression achieved by thecompositions of the present embodiments.

Accordingly, the ability of resveratrol alone and theresveratrol-containing compositions of the present embodiments toup-regulate survival/longevity genes or down-regulate genes whoseexpression enhances cellular damage is compared using the expressionprofile of a calorie restricted (“CR”) animal as a positive control andthe expression profile of a normally fed animal as a negative control.Male B6CHF1 mice (2 months of age) are either placed on a 40% calorierestricted diet, provided commercially obtained trans-resveratrol (SigmaChemical; 1.25 mg/kg per day), provided a resveratrol-containingcomposition of the present embodiments (Longevinex® plus nucleotides).The mice are monitored until they had reached five months of age, andbody weight, serum glucose levels, serum insulin levels and lipidperoxidation in brain and muscle tissue are measured.

Example 2 Comparative Effects of Resveratrol and the PresentCompositions on Gene Expression in Cardiac Tissue

The profile of expressed genes in the cardiac tissue of mice receivingresveratrol or a composition of the present embodiments (Longevinex®with nucleotides) is compared to that of mice placed on a calorierestricted diet and control mice. Gene expression is monitored using anAffymetrix MG430 2.0 Array, containing 45,101 probe sets per array. Incases in which the array represented the same gene with multiple probes,the probe set with the highest signal intensity is employed. Unknowngenes (including uncharacterized ESTs and cDNA sequences) are notanalyzed. Analysis is conducted substantially as described by Lee, C.-K.et al. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 99:14988-14993, hereinincorporated by reference. It is expected that the present compositionswill cause a statistically significant change in expression in treatedvs. control mice or mice receiving resveratrol alone, particularly withregard to the up-regulation of survival/longevity genes and oxidativephosphorylation genes, which are involved in mitochondrial ATPproduction, and the down-regulation of genes whose expression enhancescellular damage, including the sirtuin family of genes, Pgc-1α,Uncoupling protein-3, and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4.

The sirtuin family of genes, and in particular Sirtuin 1, are thought tobe critical mediators of extended lifespans (Boily, G. et al. (2008)PLoS ONE 3(3):e1759; Huang, J. et al. (2008) PLoS ONE 3(3):e1710).Pgc-1α (peroxisome proliferative activated receptor, gamma, coactivator1 alpha; ppargc1a) is a transcriptional co-factor that controls energymetabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis; its expression is increased inskeletal muscle tissue upon long-term calorie restriction (Conley, K. E.et al. (2007) Curr. Opin. Clin. Nutr. Metab. Care. 10(6):688-692; Wu, Z.et al. (2007) Expert Opin. Ther. Targets 11(10):1329-1338). Uncouplingprotein-3 is believed to be a target of Pgc-1α and to play a role infatty acid metabolism; its expression is increased in cardiac tissueupon long-term calorie restriction (Bézaire, V. et al. (Epub 2007 Jan.3) FASEB J. 21(2):312-324; Chan, C. B. et al. (2006) Curr. Diabetes Rev.2(3):271-283). Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 coordinates fuelselection during fasting to promote fatty acid metabolism (Sugden, M. C.et al. (2006) Arch. Physiol. Biochem. 112(3):139-149; Pilegaard, H. etal. (2004) Proc. Nutr. Soc. 63(2):221-226; Sugden, M. C. (2003) Obes.Res. 11(2):167-169). It is a target of Pgc-1α and is induced in multipletissues by long-term calorie restriction.

Example 3 Affected Biochemical Pathways

Recent research has suggested that complex traits are emergentproperties of molecular networks that are modulated by complex geneticloci and environmental factors. Chen, Y. et al. (Epub 2008 Mar. 16)Nature 452(7186):429-435). Indeed, research within the last decade hasrevealed that most chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular andpulmonary diseases, neurological diseases, diabetes, and autoimmunediseases exhibit dysregulation of multiple cell signaling pathways(Harikumar, K. B. et al. (Epub Feb. 15, 2008) Cell Cycle. 2008:7(8)).

The compounds of the present embodiments are evaluated for their effecton the expression of biochemical pathways and are found to affect theexpression of genes involved in multiple biological processes, such asthe glucose metabolism pathway, the tricarboxylic acid metabolismpathway, the fatty acid metabolism pathway, and others.

Example 4 Model Mechanism of Action

The compounds of the present embodiments are determined to alter theexpression of genes in key pathways of lipid metabolism, glucosemetabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, the Kreb's cycle, ATP synthesisand fatty acid beta oxidation. Without intending to be bound by anymechanism of action, the compounds of the present embodiments arebelieved to act by enhancing the activity of the forkhead Foxo1 (daf-16,dFoxO) transcription factor. Studies in model organisms have shown thatFoxo1 mediates lifespan expression by enhancing gene expression.Insulin/IGF-1 signaling phosphorylates Foxo1, thereby causing it to beexcluded from the nucleus and downregulating its actions. The compoundsof the present embodiments decrease insulin and IGF-1 signaling therebydecreasing Foxo1 phosphorylation. A proposed mechanism of action is thatthe compositions of the present embodiments deliver resveratrol tocells, where it passes through cell walls, enters the cytoplasm, andfacilitates the translocation of Foxo1 gene into the cell nucleus, whichproduces longevity effects.

Example 5 Manufacture and Encapsulation of a Resveratrol Composition

Small molecules in the form of resveratrol were obtained via ethanolextraction from Vitis vinifera and Polygonum cuspidatum. The ethanol wasremoved, and the resulting extract comprised approximately 25% vinisvinifera skin resveratrol and 25% polygonum cuspidatum resveratrol, withthe remainder comprising non-resveratrol, inert plant material. Thebiological activity of the resveratrol in the extract was confirmedusing a SIRT1 Fluorescent Activity Assay/Drug Discovery Kit AK-555(available from Biomol® Research Laboratories, Inc.; Plymouth Meeting,Pa.; www.biomol.com). The extract was kept in a nitrogen environment andadded to a mixture including approximately 25% by weight quercetin; 33%by weight lecithin; and 9% phytic acid (in the form of rice branextract). The remainder of the composition included approximately 33% byweight resveratrol extract.

The resulting slurry was placed into a capsule-filling machine.Individual dosages were encapsulated in gelatin capsules tinted withtitanium oxide (Licaps® capsules available from Capsugel; Greenwood,S.C.; www.capsugel.com). The dosages were encapsulated in asubstantially oxygen-free environment using a capsule-filling machinecontinually flushed with nitrogen (the Capsugel CFS 1000 Capsule Fillingand Sealing Machine, available from Capsugel; Greenwood, S.C.;www.capsugel.com). Each resulting capsule included at least 15 mgresveratrol, 100 mg lecithin, 75 mg quercetin, and 25 mg phytic acid.These capsule samples were stored under ambient conditions forapproximately eight months. The samples were tested for biologicalactivity by determining whether each sample could activate sirtuinenzymes and, in particular, whether the samples stimulated SIRT1catalytic activity. The samples were tested four months and eight monthsafter encapsulation. Tests were performed using a SIRT1 FluorescentActivity Assay/Drug Discovery Kit AK-555 (available from Biomol®Research Laboratories, Inc.; Plymouth Meeting, Pa.; www.biomol.com).Upon testing, it was determined that the resveratrol contained withinthe samples was biologically active, stimulating SIRT1 activity,producing up to about an eight-fold stimulation in enzymatic activitycompared to when no resveratrol is present. Similarly, the biologicalactivity of the quercetin was tested, and it was determined that theencapsulated quercetin maintained biological activity (i.e., the abilityto stimulate SIRT1 activity compared to when no quercetin is present).

All publications and patents mentioned in this specification are hereinincorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individualpublication or patent application was specifically and individuallyindicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. While theembodiments has been described in connection with specific embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodifications and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the embodiments following, in general, theprinciples of the embodiments and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice within theart to which the embodiments pertains and as may be applied to theessential features hereinbefore set forth.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating macular degeneration in ahuman subject, comprising: administering to a human subject sufferingfrom macular degeneration or macular dystrophy a composition comprising:trans-resveratrol in an amount of about 0.2 to about 2 mg per kg of bodyweight of the subject, a metal chelating agent in an amount of about 0.5to about 3 mg per kg of body weight of the subject, one or morenucleotides in an amount of about 0.5 to about 2 mg per kg of bodyweight of the subject, and one or more additional phenolic antioxidantsin a total amount of about 0.05 to about 2 mg per kg of body weight ofthe subject, wherein said administration is effective to improve theeffectiveness of the macular degeneration treatment in the human subjectas compared to administration of resveratrol alone.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the administration is effective to provide one or morebenefits selected from the group consisting of improved eyesight,shrinkage of visual defects, and decreased drusen in the eye.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising co-administering to the humansubject said composition, and a macular degeneration treatment selectedfrom the group consisting of an anti-angiogenic medicament and ananti-drusen medicament.
 4. A method of improving cell transplantationtherapy in a human subject, comprising: co-administering to a humansubject transplanted cells and a composition comprisingtrans-resveratrol in an amount of 0.25 to 5 mg per kilogram of the humansubject, a metal chelating agent, and one or more additionalantioxidants, wherein said co-administration is effective to improve theeffectiveness of the cell transplantation in the human subject ascompared to administration of the transplanted cells alone.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the co-administration is effective to improvesurvival of the transplanted cells.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinthe co-administration is effective to improve proliferation of thetransplanted cells.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the transplantedcells are selected from the group consisting of cardiac stem cells,neural stem cells, and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.
 8. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the transplanted cells are cardiac stemcells, and wherein the co-administration is effective to improvedifferentiation of the cardiac stem cells.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the metal chelating agent comprises phytic acid.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein the one or more additional phenolic antioxidants areselected from the group consisting of apigenin, caffeic acid,epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), ferulic acid, and quercetin.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the one or more additional phenolicantioxidants comprises tocotrienol.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe tocotrienol is gamma-tocotrienol.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinthe composition further comprises allicin in an amount of about 0.5 toabout 2 mg per kg of body weight of the subject.
 14. The method of claim1, wherein the composition further comprises nucleotide precursors,nucleotide derivatives, ribonucleosides or deoxyribonucleosides.
 15. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the metal chelating agent comprises phyticacid.
 16. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more additionalphenolic antioxidants are selected from the group consisting ofapigenin, caffeic acid, epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), ferulic acid,and quercetin.
 17. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or moreadditional phenolic antioxidants comprises tocotrienol.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the tocotrienol is gamma-tocotrienol.
 19. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the composition further comprises allicin inan amount of about 0.5 to about 2 mg per kg of body weight of thesubject.
 20. The method of claim 4, wherein the composition furthercomprises nucleotide precursors, nucleotide derivatives, ribonucleosidesor deoxyribonucleosides.